Summer time is for relaxing and having fun in the great outdoors. It's also time to think about sun safety. The most common type of skin cancer in the US is caused by unprotected sun exposure (specifically UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays) in childhood and adolescence.

Between 60% to 80% of sun exposure happens before we turn 18 years of age. That's because children spend more time outdoors than most adults, especially in the summer.

The majority of lifetime sun damage occurs before the age of 18, and did you know that just two or three blistering sunburns during childhood can DOUBLE the risk of skin cancer later in life? More than 90% of all skin cancers are caused by the sun, and yet less than 33% of adults, adolescents, and children routinely use sun protection.

UVA (the "Aging rays") cause wrinkling, spotting and skin cancer by penetrating deep into skin. UVB (the "BURNING rays") sizzle the top layer of skin and contribute to skin cancer risk.

Here are some practical tips to help reduce these risks:

-  Avoid direct sun exposure during the peak hours of the day, usually between 10AM to 4PM.  Harmful UV radiation is maximal during this interval.  Stay in the shade if possible.  Reapply sunscreen at 2-4 hour intervals if your child is dry, at 1-2 hour intervals if swimming or wet.

-  Dress your child in UV infused clothing (Cabana Life and Wallaroo Hat Company are examples) or use an SPF rinse on tightly woven cotton clothing to raise the spf value from 5 (regular cotton t-shirt) to spf 30 (I like SunGuard Laundry Aid).

-  Your child should wear sunglasses that offer 99-100% blockage from ultraviolet rays (check for ANSI rated UVA & UVB protection). Also, remember a hat with a wide brim that will shade the face and cover the ears.

-  Be more diligent about consistent sunscreen use around the water, sand and snow as they all reflect the sun's rays, increasing the risk of sunburn.

-  The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend that, if avoidance of sun exposure is not possible, babies - no matter how young - should be protected with a sunscreen that has at least a SPF15 and offers both UVA and UVB protection (broad spectrum).  In addition, due to the sensitivity of young children's skin, the ideal sunscreen should be one containing Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide (pure physical block ingredients).  These two ingredients offer the safest protection with the least potential for skin irritation.  Unlike a chemical block which needs a minimum of 20 minutes absorption time to be fully effective, a physical block will work immediately upon application, as the sun's rays are reflected from the barrier on top of the skin (for any age, I recommend MD Moms Babysafe spf30+ Sunscreen Towelettes or Aveeno spf50-both gentle, physical sunscreens).

-  Use enough sunscreen for effective protection.  One ounce (the size of a shot glass) is recommended per application.  If a chemical sunscreen is used, apply it to your child's face and body, wait 20 minutes and re-apply (so that any missed spots are covered, and areas that wear against clothing or sweat get double coverage). Reapply at 1-2 hour intervals if swimming or wet, and at 2-4 hour intervals all through the day.

-  Always patch test any new topical product on a small area of skin on the extremities or trunk. Wash off or discontinue use if redness, itching or irritation occurs. Discard sunscreen that has passed its expiration date.  A good rule of thumb is that, if it is more than 2 seasons old, it has lost its potency.


Dr. JJ Levenstein is a board certified pediatrician practicing in Encino, CA.  A native of San Francisco, she received bachelor degrees from both UC Berkeley and Duke University. She is a graduate of the Keck School of Medicine at USC and completed her internship and residency in pediatrics at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.  Mom to Max and wife to Bruce, she is also co-founder of MD Moms, makers of Baby Silk®.